Poland to promote new health education programme in schools [Advocacy Lab Content]

Polish schools expect to introduce a long-awaited health education programme, aimed at addressing public health concerns and promoting healthy lifestyles among children.

On 25 January, Bartłomiej Chmielowiec, the Patient Ombudsman, appealed to the Ministry of National Education urging consideration for the inclusion of a new subject called “Health Knowledge” in the curriculum. Just six days later, Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, announced that efforts are underway to develop a health education programme for schools.

“Health education will build students’ knowledge, skills and positive attitudes towards health,” Chmielowiec said to Euractiv. “The task of health education is to motivate school children to improve and maintain their health, prevent disease and reduce risky behaviour,” he added.

Prevention is not only for adults

Current preventive programmes and health promotion initiatives predominantly target adults, neglecting to establish the foundation for a healthy society during the crucial early school years. Yet, when elements of health education are integrated into school curricula, they often focus on topics such as psychoactive substances, aggression prevention, and first aid.

For years, experts have been advocating for the implementation of health education as a separate subject in schools, but little action has been taken in this direction. However, the appeal from the patient ombudsman may finally set things in motion.

The ombudsman elucidated that the incorporation of broader health education as a school subject would equip students with vital skills for making well-informed decisions concerning health, nutrition, patient rights and responsibilities, the importance of preventive measures, and assessing the effectiveness of vaccinations.

“Health education will also cover topics such as human sexuality, mental health prevention, and fostering respect for LGBT individuals and their sexuality,” Chmielowiec said.

Cultivate positive attitudes

Moreover, Chmielowiec believes that fostering health competencies, cultivating positive attitudes in children and youth, and promoting respect for others will contribute to improved self-health management, the avoidance of risky behaviours in the future, and the cultivation of an inclusive, respectful attitude towards others.

In addition to his appeal, the Patient Ombudsman also furnished the Minister of Education with developed lesson plans and an informational booklet on patient rights for grades 1-3 of primary schools, accompanied by a poster illustrating the compiled rights of the child-patient. These materials were collaboratively prepared with the Educational Development Centre.

Reaction of ministries 

The Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, confirmed on  31 January that development of a new health education programme for schools is underway. Emphasising the necessity of health prevention in schools, she stated: “Together with Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka, we aim to focus on health knowledge. We have already begun working on it, and I am hopeful it will benefit everyone.”

The Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, reiterated this during a conference on health education and oncological prevention held on 12 February. She underscored the importance of ensuring that health knowledge taught in schools is both modern and free from prejudice and ideology. “Schools play a crucial role in teaching important topics, with health education and prevention being among the most significant,” she added. 

Health education in EU

Studies have shown that health literacy should be incorporated into the core curriculum as children enter school and supported by a health-promoting school environment. This recommendation is based on the premise that early education and supportive school environments play a crucial role in fostering lifelong health behaviours.

This is the reason why, in Poland, both professionals and individuals have pushed for the inclusion of health-related instruction in the educational curriculum.

As emphasised by the Patient Ombudsman, several European countries have implemented a dedicated subject to foster health awareness among prospective patients. “Health education is being implemented in Finland, Cyprus, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Norway, among others,” he informed Euractiv.

These programmes commonly include extensive training for educators to facilitate the proficient delivery of health education content. While approaches to health education in schools vary among countries, the overarching objective remains consistent: integrating health education into school curricula to encourage informed decision-making and cultivate healthy lifestyles among students.

[By Paulina Mozolewska, Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire| Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]

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